Living on the Edge: Asian Elephants Prefers Staying on the Boundaries of Protected Areas

Providing protected places for a species to dwell in safety, as for Asian elephants, is a typical strategy in wildlife conservation. But what if the animals choose to live outside?

Looking at Where Elephants Live

Asian elephants prefer habitats outside of the protected zones that have been set aside for them, according to recent research. The endangered species demonstrated a considerable preference for locations three kilometers outside the protected regions instead of remaining inside them.

The findings showed significant overlaps in the habitat preferences of elephants in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, with both sexes favoring secondary forests, forest gaps, and areas of regrowth and new plantations.

A multinational team of researchers studied 102 Asian elephants in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo and discovered that most of the elephants spend most of their time outside the protected areas in disturbed forests and regions of regrowth. The only protected areas evaluated were those included in the World Database of Protected Areas, not logging forest reserves.

Also Read: Extreme Heat and Drought Pushed Desperate Elephants to Destroy Homes in China  

In Constant Move

Elephants are known for their roving behavior, which is assumed to be a result of their gustatory preferences. Old-growth forests, which make up protected areas, are far more uncommon than grasses, bamboo, palms, and other fast-growing plants in disturbed regions.

The results, which were acquired using GPS coordinates collected over a decade, indicate a change in perspective is required regarding conservation efforts for elephants.

Dr. Benoit Goossens, the main author of the article from Cardiff University and the Danau Girang Field Centre, states that "we think protected areas are the most effective instrument for biodiversity protection in general." "In the case of Asian elephants, protected areas constitute the key locations for elephant conservation and ensure long-term safety."

Biggest Threat

Human conflict is the major extinction hazard for Asian elephants. Elephants' propensity to travel outside the protected area, which is a frequent cause of conflict when their habitats intersect with humans, must be balanced.

According to Dr. Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, a lead author from Malaysia's Xishuangbanna, elephants would undoubtedly come into confrontation with people with their predilection for habitats outside of protected zones Tropical Botanical Garden and the University of Nottingham. This underlines how crucial it is to encourage peaceful cohabitation between people and elephants near protected areas.

Professional Suggestion

The study makes three suggestions for future conservation initiatives involving Asian elephants: Include sizable protected areas with core regions where elephants can find protection. Utilize ecological corridors to join protected area networks. Additionally, reduce human-elephant conflict, particularly in and near protected areas, focusing on safeguarding lives and livelihoods and encouraging acceptance of elephant presence.

According to Dr. Antonio de la Torre, the first author of this study and a conservationist at the University of Nottingham in Malaysia, "understanding how we can reduce the costs of this conflict for both people and elephants, and how to increase people's tolerance towards elephant presence, should be the top research priority in this area."

Related Article: Climate Change is Pushing Gentle Elephants to Turn Hostile and Attack Humans  

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